This has been updated. I accidently talked about adoption but it should be guardianship. Stories mixed up. Thank you MusicLikesMe for pointing that out. I have changed it.
Callie POV
If anyone would of asked me where I see myself in the future, I would of told them it would be abusive foster home after abusive foster home until I turned 18. If anyone would of told me I would be sitting on a couch in my boyfriend's/brother's family home with the man who I thought was my father and the man I never knew existed who turned out to be my biological father sitting across from me, I would of told them they were crazy. But here I am, sitting in front of these two men who hold my future in the palm of their hands. Well I can't say both of them, just one.
"Well is anyone going to start talking" I say harshly to both of them. I can see that Donald is taken back by my tone but Robert just continues to look at me.
"Callie, I don't know what to say. I loved your mother but all I wanted to do was go into the service to follow in my father's footsteps. To be honest with you, your mom wrote me when I was deployed telling me she was pregnant with you. When I read that, I wasn't ready to be a father and I knew it was a mistake that we had sex. So I never wrote her back. I never wrote any of family in hopes Colleen would just say Donald was your father. She loved him and we betrayed him when he went to jail. By the time I got out, Donald and I's parents were divorced and I had no idea where any of you were. By the time I got some information on you, Colleen was dead and Donald was in jail. I looked into getting custody of you but Donald wouldn't sign over his parental rights and that meant taking you away from Jude. So I never filed the papers for your guardianship. " Robert starts tearing up. "Callie, not being there for you was the biggest mistake of my life and I am so sorry I was so selfish back them. But I am here now and would like to try and make it work. I want to be the father you deserve" This is when I start to cry.
"How can you come back after all these years and want to be my father? How did Donald even find you?"
"Callie, I have known where Robert has been this entire time. When I got out of jail and tracked you down, I also found him. I didn't want him to ruin your adoption so I kept a close eye on him just to make sure he wouldn't contact you if he found out I signed over my parental rights. I should of told you then but I never thought this would come out in court. I am so sorry for all the pain I have caused." Donald says to me. I am numb. I don't know what to think anymore. Robert never wanted me at first and now he does. And Donald knew all along and didn't tell me. Honestly all I want is Brandon to hold me and tell me it will be okay. I just want to walk away from them both and be with someone who would always want me and would never hurt me. But I know I need to deal with this.
"Callie please give me the chance to be a father to you. I know I have no right to ask but you are my daughter and I want to get to know you. I swear if you don't want me to be around I will sign over my parental rights so they can be your guardians. But please give me a chance." Robert says to me. I look and him, this man who I now realize is my splitting image, plead to get to know me. Part of me wants to say yes but then the other part of me feels I am betraying Stef and Lena just by entertaining the thought. They have done everything for me and this is how I repay them.
"I need to think about all of this and talk to my mom's about it" I tell him to see if I will get some type of a reaction out of him.
"Your mom's? I understand. I heard they are great people and I see they have taken care of you and Jude. I am grateful you found such a great family. I do feel guilty asking you to give me a chance but I want to know my daughter and I want you to know me and my family."
"Family? You are married?" I ask him. So he has another family now. Why didn't he want me and mom.
"Well my wife passed away from cancer a few years back so it's just me and your sister Bailee. She is 12. I had her when I was deployed and her mom and I stayed in contact. When I got out, I found out she had cancer so we got married. Bailee is a great kid but she has had a rough time since her mom passed. I think you two would really get along."
"So you really want me. You just want me to help your daughter."
"No Callie. I want to know you. I want you to get to know us both. Please Callie"
"Okay I need to think about all of this. Please just give me some time." I am sick right now. My head feels like it wants to explode and my heart is broken. I feel like my entire life was a lie. And not I have a younger sister who I want to hate but feel bad that she kind of went through the same thing with losing her mom. It makes me want to help her like I did Jude.
"Ok. But here is my number. Please call me anytime." Robert writes his number down and hands it to me. He then gives me an awkward hug. It looks like he is trying not to cry. "I love you Callie" He says and then he walks out the door.
"I love you too Callie. I am sorry again" Donald says and with that I am left alone to process everything that has happened. I hear footsteps come downstairs. I turn to see Brandon, Lena, Stef and Jude staring at me. I know they heard everything. I want to talk but I can't. All I can do is cry. All four of them run to me and hold me. I look at Brandon and he tries to tell me with his eyes it will all be okay. I just close my eyes and cry harder.
"I'm sorry I need a minute. Please" They let me go and I walk out to the backyard. What do I do? Should I leave the family that I feel the safest with to try and get to know my biological father and half-sister. Or should I forget all of this and proceed with the guardianship. But then I will never know my sister who for some reason I have an attachment to and I have never met her. But then if I move in with my dad, I could be with Brandon now. But, he would tell me he's not a factor. He would tell me to do what is best for me. But I'm barely 17. How do I know what's best for me? I know I need a family but the question is, which one?
Author's notes:
Sorry for the delay. I hope everyone will enjoy. Please review and let me know what you think Callie should do?
